ASTON VILLA are poised to confirm the controversial appointment of Alex McLeish as manager.

Birmingham have confirmed the release of Kevin Phillips, Sebastian Larsson and Lee Bowyer following the club’s relegation from the Barclays Premier League.

Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington has left out record goalscorer David Healy for next week’s Carling Nations Cup double-header in Dublin.

Alex McLeish is to delay contract talks with several Birmingham players until the summer.

Millwall striker Josh McQuoid will train with Northern Ireland this morning after being added to the squad for tomorrow’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Slovenia at Windsor Park.

Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington was happy with the decision to shake up his starting XI against Serbia last night, despite his side’s Euro 2012 hopes taking a plunge after a 2-1 defeat.

Nigel Worthington has put his faith in youth by springing a major selection surprise for Northern ireland's Euro 2012 qualifier against Serbia tonight.

Birmingham are set to gamble on influential midfielder Barry Ferguson playing with a broken rib in their bid to secure Barclays Premier League survival.

Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington has been hit by a raft of withdrawals ahead of the Carling Nations Cup match against Scotland on Wednesday.

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish is set to make several changes for tomorrow’s home FA Cup fourth-round clash against Coventry.

Matthew Upson and Scott Parker both returned to Avram Grant’s starting XI as the West Ham boss looked to ease the pressure on his shoulders with a win against Birmingham in tonight’s Carling Cup semi-final first leg.

Millwall 1 Birmingham 4

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the Barclays Premier League clash at Fulham tomorrow.

Birmingham are concerned about the fitness of key midfielder Craig Gardner ahead of Saturday’s home clash with Chelsea.

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has no fresh injury concerns ahead of tomorrow's Premier League clash with Manchester City at Eastlands.

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has no fresh injury concerns ahead of tomorrow’s away Barclays Premier League clash with Stoke.

ROY KEANE’S Ipswich side came from a goal behind to end Northampton’s brave Carling Cup run last night.

Birmingham 1 Brentford 1 (aet, Birmingham win 4-3 on penalties)

Faroe Islands 1 Northern Ireland 1

Northern Ireland 0 Italy 0

Birmingham 3 MK Dons 1

Slovenia 0 Northern Ireland 1

Birmingham 3 Rochdale 2

Blackpool defender Craig Cathcart has been recalled to the Northern Ireland squad for their opening Euro 2012 qualifier against Slovenia in Maribor next Friday.

Montenegro 2 Northern Ireland 0

David Healy will start on the bench tonight when Northern Ireland face Montenegro in a warm-up match ahead of the Euro 2012 qualifiers.

Sebastian Larsson is concentrating solely on regaining his first team spot at Birmingham even though his long-term future is still to be finalised at St Andrew’s.

Liam Ridgewell today committed his future to Birmingham by signing a new three-year contract.

Birmingham goalkeeper Maik Taylor has signed a new one-year contract with the Barclays Premier League club.

Birmingham midfielder Keith Fahey is to be offered a new deal after an impressive season with the club, less than 18 months after joining from St Patrick’s Athletic.

Stephen Craigan will captain Northern Ireland on their two-match tour next week.

Birmingham are boosted by the return of England goalkeeper Joe Hart for tomorrow’s Premier League clash against Hull at St Andrew’s.

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish believes on-loan keeper Joe Hart will find it “very difficult” if he has to return to Manchester City and be second choice to Shay Given next season.

Former Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez will face his old club on Saturday in arguably the form of his life.

CARLOS TEVEZ was blithely unaware his departure from Old Trafford in the summer would lead to such extensive inquests into why he was allowed to leave and how much of a contributing factor it would be in the decline of Manchester United.

Birmingham goalkeeper Maik Taylor will make only his second Premier League appearance of the season against Manchester City on Sunday.

Maik Taylor admits the form of on-loan goalkeeper Joe Hart has made it easier to accept losing his first team spot at Birmingham this season.

Albania 1 Northern Ireland 0

Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington insists he is in no rush to sign his new contract as he is happy to go about his work as normal.

Promising Everton defender Shane Duffy is one of three uncapped players in the Northern Ireland squad to face Albania in a friendly in Tirana on March 3.

Maik Taylor wants extend his stay at Birmingham when his current contract ends this summer – even though he has lost his first-team spot to on-loan Joe Hart.

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish is set to reshape his squad in the summer with “significant” additions and “eight or nine players likely to leave” - according to the club’s chief executive Michael Dunford.

Birmingham have new £3m midfielder Craig Gardner available for the first time against Tottenham at St Andrew’s tomorrow.

Birmingham’s in-form striker Cameron Jerome will return after injury for the Premier League clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge tomorrow.